Campaign news

Blaenavon 39 Machen 3

FROM the kick off, Blaenavon took play into the Machen 22, taking the lead with a penalty by outside half Dan Phillips.

Minutes later centre Nathan Preece scored a great solo try in the corner and Dan Phillips converted from a wide angle.

From the restart, Machen forced Blaenavon to defend but with the home forwards winning most of the possession and the backs handling and running well, Blaenavon scored another three tries before half time.

A Machen penalty provided their only points.

Jamie Noble, in the second row, boosted the Blaenavon pack on his return from injury and TomBirch won clean ball at the lineouts.

The second try was scored by Gareth Betts in close support after runs by flankers Matthew Davies and Peter Loader.

Lee Baker scored the third after great handling and running by several players.

Richard Dennington scored Blaenavon’s fourth try after a great run by centre Scott Creese.

In the second half the Blaenavon coaches put on replacements Steven Howard, Jo Cook and Glenn Harvey.

Noble scored their fifth try after a great drive by the forwards and Nathan Preece scored their sixth with another great solo try. Dan Phillips kicked the conversion.

In the last ten minutes Machen forced play back into the Blaenavon 22 but Dan Phillips cleared with a free kick and they could not add to their three points.

Number eight and captain Lee Wright led by example and Blaenavon earned the bonus point with a fine team effort and some great individual performances.